Combined bridge and cattle-guard.



W. W. BRIAN.

COMBINED BRIDGE AND CATTLE GUARD.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 21, 19I5.

June 6, 1916.

Patented 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES W. W. BRIAN.

COMBFNED BRIDGE AND CATTLE GUARD. APPLICATION FILED DEC.2I, 1915.

1 1 86,273 Patented June 6, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

"lillllllllllllIlllllllllllll" WITNESSES I 5/ I Q12 By 9 6 ,4 TTORNEYS WILLIAM W. BRIAN, OF WOODSIBORO, TEXAS.

COMBINED BRIDGE AND CATTLE-GUARD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 6, 1916.

Application filed December 21, 1915. Serial No. 67,982.

1 0 all "whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. WILLL-mr 1V. BRIAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of 'oodsboro, in the county of Refugio and State of Texas. have invented a new and Improved Combined Bridge and Cattle- (luard, of which the following is a full, clear. and exact description.

My invention relates to a combined bridge and cattle guard characterized by a series of fixed and a series of movable planks or equivalent elements, in which the fixed planks constitute supports for the movable ones. the latter being so arranged that they may be positioned in the same plane as and alternating with the fixed planks so that the bridge presents a continuous or unbroken road surface over which cattle may travel when this is desired. The movable planks may be swung over on top of the fixed planks whereby to present intervening spaces whereby cattle will be deterred if not prevented, from passing over the bridge, but, at the same time. the structure will permit the travel of foot passengers and permit also automobiles to travel over the bridge. The movable elements are controlled by operat ing means which may be actuated by a person in an automobile or other vehicle or by pedestrians by throwing the movable ele ments into the desired position to present a continuous bridge or a broken roadway.

The invention will be particularly explained in the specific description following.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combined bridge and cattle guard showing the movable planks when being thrown from one position to another; Fig. 2 is a'fragmentary view in transverse vertical section. the section being taken on the line 22, Fig. 3, but showing the parts in the positions illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section showing the movable planks swung into the plane of fixed planks to present a. continuous roadway; and Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the movable planks swung over on top of the fixed planks to present intervening openings.

In carrying out my invention in accordance with the illustrated example. longitudinal stringers or sills 10 are provided suitably supported as by posts or piers 11, or equivalent means. Laid upon the stringers 10 are fixed planks 12 which are spiked or otherwise secured permanently in position. The fixed planks 12 are spaced apart, in practice, approximately six inches, and movable planks 13 are provided having the same width as the spaces or openings between the fixed planks. The. movable planks 13 are secured by hinges 14, or the like, to the fixed planks 12 so as to be swung in vertical planes by suitable operating means as hereinafter described.

The movable planks may be swung, as shown in Fig. 3, to positions between and in the planes of the fixed planks 12 to present a continuous road surface over which cattle may be driven when desired, or, the said movable planks may be swung over on top of the fixed planks 12 and sustained by the latter. thereby presenting openings alternating with the planks, whereby cattle will be deterred, if not actually prevented, from passing over the bridge. On the other hand, the spaces between the planks are not so wide but that foot passengers may travel over the bridge and indeed. automobiles may travel thereover. In cases where the road is not a highway, one on a farm for instance, the movable. planks may be positioned vertically on top of the fixed planks as in Fig. 1 to offer a further barrier for passage of cattle.

In order to swing the movable planks from one position to another the several planks are hung at their free ends on longitudinally disposed side bars 15, hanger brackets 16 being provided for the purpose, said brackets being rigidly secured to the bars 15 and pivotally connected with the planks 13. Levers 17 are fulcrumed at their lower ends on the stringers 10 near each end of the bridge. Slot and pin connections between the bars 15 and levers 17 are preferably provided, there being pins 18 on the bars 15 entering slots 19 in the said levers. In order to operate the levers 17 from a distance as the bridge is approached or after the bridge has been passed. said levers are connected by links 20 with levers 21 which are fulcrumed to roadside posts 22, or the like. Thus, a pedestrian, or a driver or rider. may throw one lever 21 upon approaching the bridge to dispose the movable planks 13 in the desired position and may restore the said planks to the original position after passing over the bridge by throwing the opposite lever 21.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A combined bridge and cattle guard including fixed planks spaced to present intervening openings, movable planks hinged at one edge to swing through an angle of approximately 180 into the openings be-- tween the fixed planks or to lie fiat on top of the latter with the fixed and super-inn posed planks alternating with the openings; and means to actuate said movable planks, said means being adapted to position the movable planks upright between the said two positions.

2. A combined bridge and cattle guard in eluding longitudinal stringers, fixed planks secured to said stringers and presenting intervening openings, movable planks each hinged at one edge to a fixed plank to swing through an angle of approximately 180 into the openings between the fixed planks or to lie flat on topof the latter, and means to swing said hinged planks to either of said positions and adapted also to dispose said planks upright between the said positions; said means comprising longitudinally ranging bar at the sides of the bridge pivotally connected with the movable planks near the free edges of the latter, and levers connected with the said side bar for actuating the'same. 4

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM W. BRIAN. \Vitnesses C. I. BODDEN, R. QUINTERO. 

